KOF Goes Online, High Res

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Rebout to feature network play and high resolution sprites on PS2.

By Anoop Gantayat

King of Fighters 94 Re-Bout is coming to the PS2. That much was announced back in August. But what we didn't know at the time is that SNK Playmore would be making the move to high resolution with the game!

That's right, among the improvements featured over its Neo Geo counterpart, Re-Bout adds high resolution visuals to the mix, making for a KOF that looks so good, even people who aren't named Jeremy Dunham may have to play it. Check out the images at Impress GameWatch. The game's backgrounds have been updated to 3D, but they can be switched back to the original 2D backdrops if desired (the 2D versions run in the same resolution as the arcade version, unfortunately).

There are a few additional upgrades planned for the game on top of the visuals. Internet play will be provided through KDDI's Multi Matching BB service, making this the series' first attempt at net-based play. Using this feature will require that players pay KDDI a monthly fee of 945 yen (this fee covers other games as well). Players will be able to edit character colors in order to make sure they have their very own character Online.

SNK is also adding some gameplay to the title. The arcade original forced players to select pre-set teams of characters. The PS2 version lets players edit a team character-per-character. A couple of new characters will also be included in the game.

As commemoration of the series' 10th anniversary (the original KOF '94 was the first entry in the yearly KOF series), SNK will be releasing some special promotional items with the title. Each copy of the game will include an 84-page special booklet featuring character information as well as a couple of booklets focusing on the game's storyline. The standard version of the game will include as part of its first run a CD-ROM titled "Encyclopedia of KOF"; this CD-ROM includes a catalogue of KOF games, art galleries and mini games.

Best of all for SNK nuts is the special limited version of the game, which includes a special controller. Known as the Neo Geo Pad 2, this fighting controller is designed to look and feel like the Neo Geo CD controller. Buttons have been increased to eight in order to match the PS2 controller, but all the buttons are digital, so you probably won't be able to use the thing with other games.

King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout ships on 12/30 to Japan. The normal version will sell for 7,140 yen with the limited edition version going for 8,190 yen.